Happy Haunting

Happy Halloween! I know I say this every year, but I absolutely love this holiday. Here's me and my sister Allison in our smashing costumes. Really, I just love any excuse to dress up.

On Monday I went to my old ward's annual Halloween dance. It is always so much fun. Oh, and that is the pumpkin I carved at FHE last week.

And I love Halloween at my work. Everyone gets so into it! And the employees' kids come and trick or treat around the office. This year, we even had a mad scientist's lab in the office complete with brains, eyeballs, hearts and more. It actually was pretty gross. The Paper Crafts team dressed up as a chic band...they even made posters and press passes. They are so creative! And check out the kid dressed as a washer/dryer...now that is funny!

Stacy the mad scientist

Here is my friend Emma and her coworkers. They dressed as the Clue characters. How fun!

And Garrett and friends dressed up as Super Mario brothers...isn't it great?

I'm excited for the annual murder mystery party on Saturday...one more chance to wear my costume this week! Fun!

And I thought I liked theme parties

Check out this girl's Harry Potter party and her Witches Brew Tea Party. How fun is that? They put my theme parties to shame! I'm just so incredibly impressed. And I love the idea of having to search for clues as part of the invitation. And that she created a blog specifically for the event and you had to end up there to find out vital information. And how cute are those owl invitations? And I love that all her friends get so into it as well! Maybe I will recruit her services to help me plan my next party.

Speaking of my next party, does anyone have any decoration ideas for a 1920s speakeasy?

The Vast Unknown

Behind me lies a route of confusion.
Why that course has ended is unknown.
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to journey that way.
But that is where the signs have directed me.

The path I have chosen is no longer an option.
But I can’t go back. I can only go forward.
With the knowledge I have gained along the way.

I see no signs indicating which way to turn.
Ahead lies an unfamiliar path.
One I never intended to take.

All I can do is step forward into the vast unknown.
With my flashlight and my compass.
And hope the signs will appear in the distance,
Directing me forward until I am sure I'm on the right path.

Lack of committment

I was reading today about how lazy people have gotten over the past several years about RSVPing to stuff. It used to be that sending your RSVP was totally the norm. But now, it’s so not. Why is that? Why are people so reluctant to commit to anything anymore?

It’s one thing if it’s just some party or event that doesn’t require the host(ess) to know whether or not you will be coming, but if it’s something that requires a lot of advance preparation, (and especially if the host(ess) asks you to RSVP), then I think it’s only fair to oblige.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m guilty of being non-committal sometimes, too. But I really try to give my reasons as to why I can't committ instead of just beating around the bush and waiting for a better offer. I don’t like feeling like I’m being put on the backburner to be kept warm in case nothing else heats up, so I try not to do it to other people as well.

That being said, I apologize for my lack of being committal the past couple of months. I resolve to be better about that. After all, November is only a week away.

So, what do you think? Why has the level of commitment in people dropped so much over the past several years? And I feel like it's not just in big things, but it's so prevelant in the little things too. Are we really just so inundated with choices that we can't make up our minds until the last possible moment so we can be "sure" that we've made the best choice and seen all of our options?

I also think that we have been taught to make the best possible choices in life and we are so afraid of not making the best choice, so we have a hard time making any choice. And I think we justify that with the thought of, 'At least we know if we don't make a choice, we haven't made the wrong one.'

Is this a good thing? Or is the principle of committment something that we need to be reminded of?

Ready...set...discuss...

Inside a snow globe

I think I experienced what it would be like to be inside of a snow globe this weekend. I was in attendance at the BYU football game (which we, of course, won) and although the game started out with just a slight drizzle...

...it ended in a full-blown blizzard! (We had to leave halfway through the third quarter to make it to stake conference on time so we missed the worst of it, but still!) I was so freezing. I am so not ready for winter. But I do love a good football game--even if I have to freeze my way through it.

Out with a bang

So, our last YSA regional activity went pretty well, so I guess we can say we went out with a bang. We had a monster mash Halloween party complete with apple bobbing, pumpkin painting, a big Clue game, and of course a chili dinner. I have just loved serving on this committee with such great people. I'm still a bit sad about the whole release thing, but I'm mostly ok with it now.

Emma showed up dressed as a Chutes and Ladders game! Complete with a spinner and playing pieces, so of course we had to take advantage. It was fantastic.

And who could beat Krista's costume? I love it!

And if you're a princess for an evening, you must swirl your dress. It's just a plus of wearing a princess dress. Anyway, I think everyone who came had a good time. Now the challenge is how to get more people to come to these things. Good luck to whoever replaces us. I still have my other calling as a Relief Society teacher, which I absolutely love. So now all my calling efforts can go into those lessons.

I asked for it

Since I was feeling bad about never having received an assignment from Nathan, I asked him for one, and boy did I ever get one.

Here’s what he said: “Well...I give you the assignment of find, teach and baptize somebody before I get home...preferably a hispanic. I know you can do it!!!”

That’s quite the assignment! I hope I can do it. I guess I asked for it though.

Last night I got released from my calling on the young single adult regional activities committee. I am so sad! As many of you know, this has been quite the *interesting* situation to say the least. But I have come to love it so much and I am really, really sad about being released. I have never felt like this about being released from a calling before. I feel so lost. I have thrown myself into that calling and have found such peace because of it. I don’t quite know what to do with myself now.

They came. They swam. (and biked and ran). They conquered.

Well, Round 2 of this triathlon thing went quite well. My goal was to finish in less than 2 hours...and I did! My official time was 1:51:31. Congrats to Caron who is the big winner of the "who can guess closest to the actual finishing time" contest. Caron, your prize will be delievered shortly.

Anyway, my parents, Matt and I headed down to Lake Powell on Friday afternoon. Since the race was quite close to the Glen Canyon Dam near Page, everything in Page had the word "dam" somewhere in the title. It was hilarious. Of course we had to tell dam jokes as we drove over the dam. And we had to take advantage of the situation and dine at the "Dam Bar & Grill" on Friday night to power up for the race.

I had the "dam favorite baby back ribs" Mmmm. Anyway, Lake Powell was absolutely gorgeous. On Friday night we walked down to the lake and the stars were just incredible. We just sat on the dock for awhile and looked at them. Wow! I haven't seen that many stars in a long time.

It was a bit chilly in the morning, but once the sun came up it was perfect temperature for racing. The water was great, the view was great, it was just great. Low 70s. Oh, I miss summertime!

A big shout out to my mom, Roy and Beth who came to be our cheering squad, official photographers, and shoe holders.

Anyway, the swim was a lot harder than last time. I think I had some serious wind advantage last time. But I made it and I did pretty well. The transition area was about 1/2 a mile away from the beach where we got out of the water, so that was interesting trying to get to my bike. It took forever! The bike ride was absolutely gorgeous. I had an amazing view of the lake, the cliffs and the dam. Even though the first 3/4 of it was uphill, I think I made pretty good time.

Here I am finishing the swim! The first half of the run was entirely uphill as well, but I was feeling pretty good. Anyway, I finished strong!

Matt got a fantastic time of 1:37, and my dad finished at 1:43. Way to go us! My dad even came in third place in his age division, so he got a lovely bronze medal at the awards ceremony.

Here he is getting his medal. He was so excited and proud of himself that he won an award. It was pretty funny. Matt came in 6th in his age division. Yay Matt! And I also came in 6th in mine. (I think there must have only been 6 people in my age division.)

Anyway, I am so glad I finally got to do a triathlon. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but it was such a fun experience. You may now call me a triathlete!

P.S. I have discovered the ultimate way to be approached. Forget the beverage, forget the clothing that invites touch or conversation. Just show up to a social event with numbers written all over your body. You will be approached by everyone present. :)

One year ago

One year ago my adorable little brother Nathan left on his mission. As he went into the MTC, he gave all of our family members “assignments” to complete while he was gone. However, he didn’t give me one. I was really disappointed. I kind of felt like he didn’t give me one because maybe he thought I was hopeless and wouldn’t accomplish much while he was gone. (Note: This was during my negative self-esteem month I was having at that time.) I guess I could look on the positive side and think that he must have already thought I was near perfection so he didn’t give me anything to improve on. LOL!

Whatever way you look at it, I went ahead and gave myself my own “assignments” to accomplish while Nathan was gone. And looking back on this past year, I have accomplished a lot and grown so much in the process.

One year ago, I never would have even dreamed of running a half marathon. Or doing a triathlon. I weighed 25 pounds more than I do now. I had different views on what love means. I never thought I’d find such a fantastic ward to be a part of. I’d never hiked to the top of a mountain. I’d never been rejected from a university. I had never been on a cruise. I didn’t have the relationship with my parents that I have now. I never dreamed of being as open and honest as I am now.

One year ago, I attended my first ward activity in my current ward. Something happened there that has changed my life forever. Before that, I had never met Emma, or Alison, or Bekah Hintze, or Darin, or Garrett, or Matt, or Kristen and Shawn, or Kristi, or the Naisbitts, or Bishop Jackson, or President Thomason, or any of the other fabulous people in my ward. They truly have changed my life, and I’m so grateful for their influence.

One year ago, I don’t think I had the confidence I enjoy today. I have felt such support and peace from my Savior. And I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father stronger than I ever have before. I know my testimony has grown. And I know that I have too.

What a year. It’s been a struggle, but it’s also been a wonderful growing experience full of new adventures and joys. So Nathan, your big sister did amount to something this year. I think I can say I’ve been changed for the better. Give me an assignment for next year!

And in this past year I can see how much Nathan has grown as well. He is such an awesome missionary and he is doing so well out there in Looosiana. I know that he has touched the lives of so many people and because of the person he is, he is such an example to me. I love you Nathan!

Mothers Who Know

Can I just say that I LOVED this talk from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' General Conference by Sister Julie B. Beck (the general Relief Society president). If you didn’t get a chance to watch/listen to it, read it here because it’s absolutely incredible.

Here are some of my favorite lines: "The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children. Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Latter-day Saint women will do this, women who know and love the Lord and bear testimony of him."

I have always wanted to be a mom, but this talk really inspired me to want it even more. And to prepare myself for that awesome responsibility and opportunity. What a privilege it is to be entrusted with a few of God’s children to teach and to raise up in righteousness. I hope that I can be prepared and ready for that responsibility when it’s time for me to have that role.

Sister Beck goes on to talk about exactly what it means to be a mother who knows. And I am going to strive to become that person. Even though I can’t be a mother right now, I can be a woman who knows. I've got a lot to improve on, but I know that I know. And that is powerful.

I also loved Elder Wirthlin’s talk on charity. (You have to watch it to get the full effect.) I loved this particular line: "Now, for us, the measure of our love is the measure of the greatness of our souls.” But what I loved most was the illustration of this principle in the loving gesture of Elder Nelson who got up to help when Elder Wirthlin was struggling.

Loved Elder Oaks’ talk on priorities, and Elder Condie’s talk on remembering the promises. Loved it all! Isn’t it great to have a living prophet and apostles? And isn’t it great to receive such awesome counsel every six months? I’m so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the restored gospel. What did I ever do to deserve to be a part of it? I’m so blessed.

The things I’ll never say

My favorite scene in the movie Stardust consists of this guy getting turned into a mouse. (OK, it’s not my favorite when he gets turned into the mouse, but what happens after.) While he is there in his little mouse cage, this girl starts talking to him. She is convinced that since he is a mouse, he won’t be able to hear/understand what she is saying so she pretty much pours her heart out and says some things she probably would never say to him in person. Well come to find out, he can hear and understand her.

Which brings me to my point. Why are we so afraid of saying certain things to certain people? Why do we think of things we’d say to someone with no intention whatsoever of them ever hearing it?

I’m the first to admit that I’m afraid to do stuff like that. I guess I’m afraid of rejection, of certain consequences that might come, or what people might think. But over the past few weeks, I’ve had two different opportunities to actually say those things I’d never thought I’d say. And you know what? I have felt such peace because of it.

Remember how I had two main things in my life that were driving me crazy? Well ever since I have taken advantage of these opportunities to actually tell certain people in these two situations what I really thought, I have felt such peace. The situations haven’t been “fixed”, but they aren’t driving me crazy anymore. If I would have known that just saying those “things I’d never say” would bring me such peace, I think I would have done it sooner.

Please pray for good weather

I am going to try this triathlon thing one more time. Lake Powell. October 13. Please pray that it doesn't rain. Oh yeah, and I'm repeating the contest, so if you would like to adjust your guess of my actual finishing time, please post here. (Distances are the same as last time.)